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If you’ve ever wanted to feel the pulse of a dancer’s footwork without leaving your seat, Wayne McGregor’s latest creation might be your ticket. 

The celebrated British choreographer has teamed up with Hong Kong Ballet, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), and a roster of international artists to launch On the Other Earth, a radical immersive dance experience that premiered at the Venice Biennale Danza 2025.

Set inside a 360-degree panoramic screen with 26 million pixels of visual intensity, the installation surrounds viewers with cinematic choreography, 3D animation, and spatialized soundscapes that evoke both deep space and deep ocean, making it a sensory plunge into movement, myth, and speculative futures.

Hong Kong plays a starring role in the immersive experience. Dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet corps perform alongside McGregor’s own company, with sequences filmed on the Peninsula Hotel’s helipad and other iconic city locations. “This groundbreaking collaboration brings together the best of international innovation and artistry,” said Septime Webre, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet. “Our dancers bring extraordinary versatility to this fusion of ballet, contemporary dance, and cutting-edge technology.”

The installation is powered by nVis, a stereoscopic 12K LED cylindrical screen developed by Professor Jeffrey Shaw and Professor Sarah Kenderdine at HKBU’s Visualization Research Centre. Funded by the HKSAR Government’s Innovation and Technology Commission, the project exemplifies Hong Kong’s commitment to art-tech leadership. 

“It will be a solid demonstration of the power of transdisciplinary innovation and knowledge transfer, one that transcends geography and culture,” said Professor Terence Lau, Interim Chief Innovation Officer at HKBU, on the installation’s global tour.

Thematically, On the Other Earth aligns with the Biennale’s “Myth Makers” focus, reimagining ancient stories through digital choreography. McGregor’s work asks whether immersive environments can rival the emotional immediacy of live performance, a question that resonates in a city increasingly invested in cultural innovation.

For Hong Kong audiences, the excitement is just beginning. The installation is slated to arrive at Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts in 2026, promising a cultural event that blends dance, design, and digital spectacle in a way the city has never seen before. As HKBU President Professor Alex Wai noted, “Showcasing Hong Kong’s homegrown performance on the world stage highlights our distinctive creative vision”.

Whether you’re a ballet diehard or a tech-curious art lover, this is one experience that invites you to step inside the story.

For more information about the production, visit Wayne McGregor’s website here and follow him on Instagram here. Stay updated with Tai Kwun's events and happenings by following them on Instagram and Facebook. 

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dust off your lightstick and scream your lungs out, this is most probably it. K-Pop’s metaverse queens, aespa, are officially heading to Hong Kong as part of their 2025–2026 “SYNK: aeXIS LINE” world tour!

Set to take place on February 7 and 8, 2026, the concerts will light up AsiaWorld-Expo with aespa’s signature blend of futuristic visuals, razor-sharp choreography, and immersive stage production. Fans, known as Mys, can expect a high-energy spectacle that blurs the line between digital and reality, true to aespa’s tech-forward identity. 

The tour kicks off in Seoul in late August 2025 before sweeping through Bangkok on November 15 and 16, 2025, Japan, and Jakarta, eventually landing in Hong Kong for two nights of pure pop adrenaline. After their Hong Kong stop, the group will head to Macau’s Galaxy Arena on March 7 and 8, continuing their domination of Asia’s biggest stages. 

aespa, made up of Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning, debuted under SM Entertainment in 2020 and quickly carved out a niche with their AI-powered concept and genre-bending sound. Hits like “Next Level,” “Drama,” and “Spicy” have cemented their place as one of K-pop’s most innovative acts. 

Musically, aespa blends hyperpop, EDM, and dance-pop with a futuristic edge that mirrors their digital alter egos and metaverse-inspired storytelling. Their tracks often feature layered synths, glitchy textures, and bold transitions, creating a soundscape that’s as unpredictably addictive. Whether it’s the bass-heavy swagger of “Savage” or the shimmering hooks of “Supernova,” aespa’s sonic identity is both experimental and unmistakably modern. 

While ticketing details are still under wraps, fans are advised to keep a close eye on aespa’s official channels. If history is any guide, seats will vanish fast, especially after their last Hong Kong appearance in 2024 drew massive crowds from around the world. 

Whether you’re a longtime MY or just curious about the future of K-pop, this is one show you won’t want to miss. 

Follow aespa on Instagram here and check out SM Entertainment’s website here for updates. 

Stanley’s iconic Murray House got a full summer makeover last weekend as Carnaby Fair and Stanley Plaza have launched their month-long cultural takeover with their Murray Summer Opening Party, a few days later than planned, thanks to heavy rain showers on August 2. But all the delay did was build up the anticipation and excitement, so when the sun finally came out, so did the crowds, marking a successful milestone toward what’s to happen next.

The festivities began early on the historical building's G/F, where A.M. Yoga by ikigai (held every weekend morning 9 AM–12 PM) drew a peaceful crowd eager to stretch into the day with the sea breeze at their backs. 

As the morning gave way to afternoon, the space shifted into hands-on creativity with the Seashell Bag Charm workshop (12 PM–6 PM). Later, the energy turned playful with Pickleball & Mini Golf (2 PM–7 PM), offering lighthearted competition for kids and adults alike.

Outside, the celebration spilled onto the waterfront with free events like Volleyball with Frenz, Pets & Mini Games, and a Postcard Workshop turned the promenade into a lively, pet-friendly zone with drink sponsors like Young Master Brewery, ONLY Beverages, and Neon Tiger adding to the summer vibes.  

Upstairs, the second floor turned into a sonic playground with DJs Pao Reggy, GONG!, and Bratty Deb dropping their selections of drum and bass, UKG, hip hop, grime dub, and house tracks. 

The crowd, an eclectic mix of music heads, creatives, friends and family, and weekend wanderers, filled the space with movement and laughter, proving that Stanley is more than quiet strolls and cafe-hopping. Meanwhile, an additional DJ booth facing the sea kept the energy high with breezy, sun-soaked sets that matched Stanley’s laid-back coastal vibe, inviting those enjoying a Saturday scroll around the area for a bit of dancing.

The weekend also featured a special DJ set at the V Music Library pop-up, curated by Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), by Dr. Wong Chi-chung, one of Hong Kong’s most respected music curators and radio hosts. Known for his decades-long career as a radio DJ and his advocacy for music education, Wong’s presence added depth to the pop-up’s mission of preserving analog culture and bridging generations through sound. 

The opening party set the tone for what’s to come every weekend this August. From yoga and pickleball to raves with pure underground vibes, and postcard workshops, Murray Summer is shaping up to be one of Hong Kong’s most vibrant seasonal happenings. And with the 01 Festival finale on August 31, Murray House will transform into a three-story underground rave, featuring immersive visuals and a genre-defying DJ lineup promising a full-blown underground rave. 

Whether you’re dancing in daylight, crafting with seashells, playing chess with strangers, or spinning vinyl in a quiet corner, Murray Summer is shaping up to be Stanley’s most dynamic cultural offering of the season. 

Murray Summer at Murray House is free to enter and all are welcome, while certain events require a ticket! If you're looking to join the ticketed actions, be sure to secure your ticket before they sell out here. 

01 Festival's First Release tickets are available for grabs now from HK$300, get your tickets a more information here. 

Follow Carnaby Fair on Instagram for more details and connect with us at @thebeat.hkg for exclusive updates! 

How to Get to Murray Summer 

You may drive or take a taxi directly to Murray House (美利樓). There are also a few public buses that take you to Stanley:  

• Citybus 260: Central (Exchange Square) - Stanley Market
• Citybus 6 or 6X: Central (Exchange Square) - Stanley Market
• Citybus 14: Sai Wan Ho (Grand Promenade) - Stanley Fort (Gate) / Ma Hang
• Citybus 973: Tsim Sha Tsui (Mody Road) - Stanley Market
• Green Mini Bus 40 or 40X: Jardine's Bazaar - Stanley Village / Stanley Prison 

Be sure to check the Citybus app for bus schedules and any route changes before you head over!  

When the sun sets over Victoria Harbor, M+ comes alive in a way that’s anything but ordinary.

On September 5, the museum’s popular after-hours series M+ at Night returns with a new edition titled "Good Times," inviting visitors to unwind, reflect, and revel in a night of music, movement, and artmaking. 

This isn’t the first time M+ has transformed its galleries into a cultural playground. Previous editions have explored everything from Hong Kong underground and street culture to retro Cantopop and more, with performances by artists like Xiaolin, N.O.L.Y, N.Y.P.D. (南洋派對), Yeti Out and tributes to icons such as Anita Mui and Roman Tam.  

The spring 2025 edition, "Self Encounters," featured identity-themed programming inspired by Cindy Sherman and Yasumasa Morimura, while "Beyond the Frame" earlier this year paid homage to Picasso's creative legacy. 

Now, Good Times shifts the focus inward. 

Inspired by the museum’s current exhibition M+ Sigg Collection: Inner Worlds, the event explores emotional expression through a curated mix of live music, wellness, and tactile creativity. 

Headlining the night is Jay Fung, whose heartfelt Cantopop style blends Western influences with introspective lyricism. He’ll be joined by Room307 (Allex Chan), whose “Neo Cantopop” soundscapes evoke sci-fi romance, and SPORA, an emerging electronic duo known for cinematic textures and danceable rhythms. 

Visitors can also drop into a yoga-meets-LoFi session led by Taiwan’s PUZZLEMAN and yoga instructor Alba, or get hands-on with clay in a ceramic workshop guided by artist Lee Wing Yee. 

Acoustic performances inspired by gallery artworks, curator-led tours, and pop-up chats with M+ Guides round out the evening’s offerings. Food and drinks will be available on-site, with discounts for members and patrons. 

Tickets are available in two tiers: early bird tickets are priced at HK$200 and can be purchased from August 4 to 24, while full-time students aged 18 and above can enjoy a discounted rate of HK$140 during the same period. Standard tickets will be available from August 25 at HK$280. All ticket holders will have exclusive access to exhibitions until 10:30 PM. 

M+ at Night: Good Times promises more than just entertainment, inviting visitors to explore a transformed museum to decompress, connect, and experience contemporary visual culture in a whole new light, making this a night to remember. 

For more information and tickets, visit M+ at Night’s website here, and follow West Kowloon Cultural District’s Facebook here and Instagram here. 

Mushrooms and raves may sound like a great combination, but what if they were mixed with a powerful substance – caffeine? 

Local wellness brand Made From Mushroom is bringing its signature fusion of plant-based vitality and DJ culture to host a vibrant daytime rave at a secret location on Hong Kong Island on August 17 from 3 PM - 6 PM, blending their powerful brews with grooves, community vibes, and a dose of mushroom-powered magic. 

Mushroom Coffee Magic

Known for its functional mushroom products designed to support energy, focus, and mood, Made From Mushroom has recently launched its instant coffee and drip coffee featuring science-backed medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane. The ingredients’ benefits include boosting stamina, enhancing cognitive clarity, and reducing stress, leading to growing scientific interest and popularity among enthusiasts.  

“We’re redefining the food and beverage industry through the perfect fusion of Hong Kong-based research and natural resources,” said Co-founders Dr. Cheng Wai-Yin and Mr. Luk Wai-Kit. “Our mushroom coffee offers a healthier alternative for urban lifestyles, supporting vitality and balance without the side effects of traditional caffeine.” 

Hong Kong's First Mushroom Coffee Rave

To go with the product launch is their day rave “Mushroom Mix #vol. 0,” where a curated lineup of DJs, including DJ Step, SHON, and Nip Lung will spin their selection of house and hip hop tracks. While guests dance with a promised dopamine rush over 3 hours of non-stop music, they’ll be offered a cup of Made From Mushroom’s signature mushroom coffee in addition to a selection of drinks available, alongside an exclusive souvenir. 

Guests can expect a high-vibe, alcohol-free experience that blends movement, mindfulness, and mushroom-powered clarity. The event promises “beats without burnout,” with plenty of vibe-worthy moments, natural mood boosts, and a crowd that’s all about conscious connection. 

Get your ticket here for HK$150 before Aug 15 or HK$180 until Aug 17. For other details and product info, follow Made From Mushroom on Instagram here. 

Before rap had a proper place in Hong Kong’s music identity, DJ Lorry was already spinning beats through crowded disco nights, driven by the belief that hip hop deserved more than underground admiration. 

In a city where Canto pop songs ruled the charts and radio DJs carried household fame, hip hop thrived quietly in the shadows, being sustained by dancers, DJs, and creatives with a defiant streak. By the late ’90s, genre-blurring pop tracks began to hint at Canto rap’s presence, but it wasn’t until the LMF’s explosive arrival that local youth embraced rap as a voice of self-expression. 

DJ Lorry was there before the movement took shape. “I started out in the early ’90s as a disco disc jockey,” he explains with an emphasis on disco, laughing at how people often assumed he was a radio host. “Back in my youth, I had this wild ambition to change the world, so I committed to becoming a DJ who focused solely on hip hop.” 

That bet paid off as Lorry gave his career a strong foundation and eventually carved out a space where hip hop could begin to speak Cantonese with pride. 

In a city where hip hop may have been pushed to the sidelines, DJ Lorry and his collaborators are bringing it back to the mainstage "Shogun Rapper (說唱大將軍)," a new rap musical featuring 19 local rappers that’s wrapped in ritual, powered by community, and expressed in the voices of homegrown talents. 

Join us in a reflective conversation as The Beat Asia dives into DJ Lorry's journey, his role in shaping Hong Kong's hip hop culture, and ambitious upcoming production.

What’s your journey in the local hip hop scene, and how do you see your role in it today? 

I started purely as a DJ, there wasn't really a 'hip hop scene’ at the time. 

In the’90s, people danced to hip hop in discos, and you’d see B-boys on the streets, but rap was barely touched. Outside of big mainstream acts like Softhard (軟硬天師), it was almost impossible for regular people to get into it with no resources.

In 2001, my crew and I put out a track experimenting with dance beats and rap, which is not exactly hip hop in my view, but it’s wild that people still talk about it today. I’ve never tried to define my role in the scene. The respect I get now comes from younger generations, and I’m truly flattered. I’m not chasing anything, I just work with the people I meet along the way, doing what feels natural. That kind of journey, to me, is a beautiful life. 

How would you describe the current state of Hong Kong’s rap scene?

There aren’t many platforms here where people can perform because it takes funding, which means the audience, not just listeners, is incredibly niche. 

I believe a lot of young rappers start with a dream but reality hits fast. That’s also part of what makes Hong Kong's art scene so unique, you need the right time, right place, and right people to truly be seen. 

In your opinion, what kind of fuel would help ignite Hong Kong's rap scene? 

The market here is dominated by mainstream music, and that’s a major obstacle. 

There’ve been successful crossovers, like Sammi Cheng and LMF, or, more recently, Jason Chan featuring Novel Fergus, and Juno Mak working with several rappers. And we’ve seen independent artists break through to the mainstream industry. Despite mainstream media rarely exploring music outside their comfort zone, and most people don’t know where to look, a lot of artists are grinding silently, especially those doing creative work, who fight to break out of this structure. 

Unlike countries with deeply rooted rap ecosystems like the US, UK, or South Korea, Hong Kong’s relationship with hip hop has always been complicated. 

Now, decades into his journey, DJ Lorry’s latest project as the Creative Director of "Shogun Rapper (說唱大將軍)" marks another bold turning point. The production, showing for one night only on August 8, 2025, features 19 rappers, 17 of whom are from four distinct collectives. 

Backing them is an art-driven creative team determined to push Cantonese rap beyond convention. Blending street culture, storytelling, and spiritual symbolism, the show is Lorry’s way of honoring the often-overlooked artists while amplifying the voices shaping the next wave. 

Building on that energy, Lorry shaped the show into something truly unique, a rap performance that functions like a musical. 

“The inspiration behind Shogun Rapper comes from a kind of spiritual energy,” he explains. “Whether you’re religious or not, whenever you reach a bottleneck or feel lost, certain people and events tend to appear, they guide you toward a shift in your creative process or personal choices.” 

The format reflects this sense of transformation. Infused with mythological elements, performers channel a symbolic power known as ‘the Shogun,’ (大將軍) which triggers explosive stage presence and emotional power. The result is not just performance but resonance which takes root in an original storyline steeped in ancient legend, as Lorry recounts. 

What narrative themes do you have at play in the show?

The story begins in ancient times with the great battle between Huangdi (黃帝) and Chiyou (蚩尤). 

Long, long ago, humans lived in caves, surviving on raw meat and animal hides. Whether in joy or suffering, they could only cry out. Emotions remained trapped inside, with nowhere to go. 

That changed when Cangjie (倉頡) invented written language. Suddenly, people could express themselves, record all things under heaven, and even reshape the world around them. At that moment, Huangdi and Chiyou were locked in the Battle of Zhuolu (涿鹿之戰) and both sides turned to rap, the most advanced form of expression then, to wage an epic clash that shook heaven and earth. 

But Chiyou made a mistake. One wrong punchline led to his downfall. Huangdi, armed with perfect delivery and a high-powered production team, crushed him completely, leaving only his tongue behind. That tongue was then forged into a microphone, said to carry Chiyou’s spirit.  

From then on, Chiyou wandered the earth, helping different artists. The mic channels rap straight to the soul, stirring hearts wherever it’s heard. This mythical being has many names in different places, but in Hong Kong, he’s known as the ‘Shogun Rapper.’

What do you hope audiences take away from Shogun Rapper — emotionally, culturally, or artistically?

The message is simple, and it’s positive: Whatever you pursue, if it’s something you love, something you’re willing to work for, you’re already one step closer to success. 

You have established rappers and rising voices in "Shogun Rapper's" lineup, who are some of the city's stars you are spotlighting?

The lineup features several well-known names to local audiences in the scene: YACK STUDIO, M4GANG, WOLFE, and GRIND FLOOR. 

One spotlighted artist is Haysen Cheng, a Hong Kong rapper currently building his music career in Chengdu. He’s released multiple Cantonese tracks across Mandarin-speaking regions, working tirelessly to promote Cantonese rap and Hong Kong culture. Seeing how far he’s come, it made perfect sense to invite him as a presence for this show.  

Also joining is WAVYSOUND, a rising collective poised to grab attention in the near future. Each member brings a unique style, and their music showcases impressive fluidity and finesse. Their performance on this stage is highly anticipated. 

Who are the local brands, artists, or creatives involved in shaping the show’s aesthetic?

Our Executive Director Yuwen has delivered a wide range of outstanding artistic work within Hong Kong’s hip hop scene and is held in extremely high regard by the community. His involvement brings a sense of calm and confidence—like a remedy that steadies the spirit. 

Visual Director BOMS uses his illustration skills and composition to connect music and image, creating an immersive visual impact for the audience. He also designed the symbolic “flower script” characters representing each rapper, featured in the promotional poster and event booklet in collaboration with our Poster Designer Raymond. 

Animator JollyB brings her signature animation style to the show, adding a layer of flair that elevates the entire experience. 

In the Shogun Rapper narrative, a sacred relic from Chiyou appears on stage, which is designed by toy artist and Prop Design Head N9TH STUDIO to bring myth into material form. 

Lastly CULT KEY, a renowned professional crew made up of independent musicians rounds out our Sound & Production Team. Special shoutout to A TEAM for their full support in making it all come together! 

"Shogun Rapper's" announced lineup features 19 rappers drawn from four collectives and two independent acts. Each group carries its own sound and philosophy, offering a cross-section of Hong Kong’s evolving hip hop identity. 

YACK STUDIO brings the lyrical precision of Novel Fergus, Novel Flash, and LeShing; M4Gang offers raw energy through the voices of PetPetShawn, Skinhead (光頭), Joe Yip (拉天槽), Polar G, and Zodi. Grind Floor delivers underground boombap through NKidd, ZAIN, and Buzzy.D; and rising collective WavySound blends versatility with flow through Raydog, DRG, Stonefish99, LIZ, Yeaboi, and MDot. 

All while independent voices of the show, Wolfe and Haysen Cheng (鄭景曦), round out the core lineup. 

The show doesn’t stop there. Shogun Rapper promises the unexpected, with surprise guests not listed on posters and a handful of iconic tracks set to debut live, with no guarantee of another chance, making it a rare moment in Hong Kong’s hip hop calendar. 

Beyond the spotlight, Lorry’s efforts to nurture local talent continue. In recent months, he partnered with a local nightclub to host ‘HIP HOP NIGHT,' a weekly event series designed specifically for rising DJs and rappers. It’s modest, but meaningful as a consistent platform where new voices gain performance experience and can connect with a live audience. 

“This small stage lets everyone build confidence and connect through their work,” Lorry says. In a city with few resources for independent rap, spaces like this are essential. 

And the emotional core of Shogun Rapper is rooted in reflection. Lorry believes that love and commitment are the real benchmarks of success. “A good foundation never fades,” he says. “Even when you’re lost or if the path feels like a waste of time, one day you’ll remember what it was like to start.” 

Speaking from his experience of having stepped away from music for a decade to pursue photography, he says it was the raw and fearless voices of young rappers that woke him up, adding it’s the youngsters who reminded him of his beginnings. 

Shogun Rapper is built on that rediscovery: a tribute to revival, artistic sincerity, and shared energy. 

What are some traits you look for when discovering new talents?

I don’t place special emphasis on any one part of it because, after all, art is always tied to trends. I think when we don’t understand something, it’s because we haven’t taken the time to truly learn about it. Once you do, once you see the whole picture clearly, you begin to understand what the other person is trying to express. 

In the end, it’s all about learning and absorbing like how Hong Kong has different slang and cultural phrases depending on the era, and this city is known for how fast trends change. And I keep up by asking the younger generation questions. 

⁠What’s a piece of advice you have for up-and-coming artists?

Do something that, years down the line, you’ll look back on with pride, without regret, something that still resonates after you’ve grown. 

Are there any upcoming collaborations or new concepts you’re developing beyond Shogun Rapper?

I don’t plan too far ahead as I want to give this show the full attention it deserves. However, I dream of collaborating with artists across different countries and languages. If we have resources, I believe it can happen. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

With DJ Lorry as the creative mind the show, "Shogun Rapper (說唱大將軍)" will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 6 PM at the Heung Yee Kuk Grand Theatre in Shek Mun, Sha Tin. General admission standing tickets are priced at HK$690. 

With its textured storytelling, cross-disciplinary vision, and roster of both established and rising talent, Shogun Rapper mirrors the tension and promise of Hong Kong’s music scene. It’s experimental, unapologetic, and overflowing with spirit, just like the culture it comes from, and a one-of-a-kind performance you don't want to miss. 

Follow DJ Lorry on Instagram and visit his Spotify page. You can purchase tickets for Shogun Rapper on BOOK YAY and visit their Instagram for more information. 

In case you missed Takashi Murakami's whimsical cherry blossom oasis at ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025, Ohana Hatake has made its official debut in the city at Pacific Place in Admiralty. 

Step into the retail destination this August and you’ll find its Garden Court transformed into a mesmerizing dreamscape that’s blooming with imagination. From July 31 to August 13, the mall’s latest campaign, Summer in Full Bloom, brings Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s Ohana Hatake to Hong Kong for its official launch, in a pop-up that’s part art installation, part retail experience, and all sensory delight. 

Presented in collaboration with Complex Chinese, the event marks Murakami’s footwear brand’s debut in the city, coinciding with Pacific Place’s role as the official mall partner of ComplexCon Hong Kong 2025. 

At the heart of it all is a surreal floral dreamscape, showcasing a large-scale hanging cherry blossom centerpiece surrounded by blooming trees and vibrant florals, all echoing Murakami’s signature Superflat aesthetic. The result is a space that feels more like a garden in motion than a shopping mall. 

Inside the installation, visitors can browse exclusive Ohana Hatake merchandise, including two footwear styles in twelve colorways, with four new shades released in phases over the two-week run. The pop-up also offers an incentive: spend HK$800 or HK$1,500 in same-day electronic purchases at Pacific Place or Starstreet Precinct to redeem a specially brewed Ohana Hatake coffee or limited-edition tote bag, respectively. Redemptions are available daily while supplies last. 

Beyond the retail and rewards, the installation invites guests to linger, explore, and engage with Murakami’s world, where nature meets pop art, and summer feels like a canvas. With opening hours from 11am to 8pm, it’s a perfect midday escape or post-work wander. 

Whether you’re chasing cherry blossoms or just looking for a fresh way to experience the city, Summer in Full Bloom offers a rare chance to see Pacific Place through a more whimsical lens. 

For more information, visit the Pacific Place website here, and follow the Instagram page here.   

Location: Garden Court, LG1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Attention! Pickleball's popularity in Hong Kong will reach a new height in the PPA Tour Asia Hong Kong Open, held August 21–24 at the new Kai Tak Sports Park. 

And we know it was bound to happen- what started as a backyard pastime in the U.S. has long landed in Hong Kong’s cultural spotlight. This indoor-or-outdoor sport, a blend of ping-pong and tennis, is now commanding serious attention and court time across the city. With diverse age and rating categories available, over 600 players have already registered for a slice of the US$50,000 prize pool. 

If you’ve never tried the sport, know that it's addictive for people of all ages. With straightforward rules, pickleball is social and easy to pick up like other popular activities such as bouldering and escape rooms, perfectly reflecting Hong Kong’s fast-paced but diverse urban energy. 

It only takes a few tries before you're hooked, and local venues have already transformed into social hubs, mixing active play with post-game conversations and laughter.

Hong Kong’s broader sports culture is undergoing a renaissance, and pickleball does benefit from that change alongside growing interest in emerging sports like padel, spikeball, and urban running clubs as the city is embracing a more diverse and inclusive athletic identity. 

Kai Tak Sports Park, standing as a symbol of this transformation, offers space for competitive events and community participation alike. This shift toward accessible, lifestyle-driven recreation is turning Hong Kong into a dynamic playground for both locals and visitors.

While Hong Kong positions itself as a premier venue for regional play, and clubs continue popping up from Central to Yuen Long, the local pickleball community shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re already a sports enthusiast or seeking a new way to stay active, now’s the time to get in the game. 

For registration and information, visit PPA Tour Asia’s website here and follow them on Instagram. 

If you’ve found yourself strolling along Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour or riding a ferry after sunset lately, you may have noticed the skyline flickering with echoes of a city seemingly distant from today. That’s HK:PM, a unique moving-image commission by Canadian photographer Greg Girard, projected nightly until the end of September 2025 on the massive LED facade of the M+ Museum at the West Kowloon Cultural District. 

The piece transforms Girard’s iconic analog photographs, originally taken between the 1970s and 1990s, into a slow, cinematic sequence. In addition to neon-lit backstreets and club scenes that evoke nostalgia, Girard’s lens captured the fragments of life once thriving in places like Kai Tak Airport and the Kowloon Walled City.  

Importantly, Girard isn’t just another visitor with a camera. He’s a longtime observer and interpreter of Asia’ urban soul. Having spent over three decades living in and exploring Asian metropolises like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Shanghai, he ventured into different corners of the cities that even locals may be strangers to.  

Girard’s photography and publications have shaped how global audiences perceive Asia’s evolution, telling stories of collective history through intimate moments and personal memories.  

As these iconic images of old Hong Kong loop across the harbor and skyline, they become a silent visual memoir, both a tribute and quiet reckoning with what remains and what’s been lost. But isn’t looking back the clearest way to envision what comes next? 

Catch the nightly showcase from Victoria Harbour promenade and follow M+ Museum’s Instagram and Facebook for updates and upcoming events. 

Greg Girard: HK:PM Screening Details: 

Location: M+ Facade, West Kowloon District, Kowloon, Hong Kong 

Dates: July 4 – September 28, 2025